> :rtJ 




i i 







i ■ 






Class_CX£T5. I 
Book, % r.kS&y (b 















■ 















■ 



4" 






■ 



I ■ 






* * J 









1 






f m 

























■ 



If 



# 



! I 



H 










■ 










■ 


















??/£>; 
























1 1 



/*£ 



IN MEMORIAM. 



E. H. P. 






1 xn? 



s^ 



ELISABETH HELEN PIERCE. 



Elisabeth Helen, daughter of John and 
Mary Mackie (Burgess) Kingsbury, was born 
June 19, 1840, in Providence, R. I. She 
lived in that city, in her father's family, un- 
til her marriage, April 19, 1865, to Edward 
L. Pierce ; and from that time her home 
was in Milton, Mass. She died of pneu- 
monia, March 30, 1880. This Memorial is 
privately printed for her family and intimate 
friends. 



3 ^ b. S £ ^ 






■ < > 
< . « 



A TRIBUTE. 



'THE following tribute from Rev. James 
G. Vose, D.D., was published in the 
"Providence Journal," April 5, 1880: — 

" The brief announcement in the papers 
of the death of Mrs. Edward L. Pierce, of 
Milton, Mass., gives small hint to the com- 
munity in general of the heavy loss sustained 
by her family and the friends to whom she 
was endeared. Born in Providence, and liv- 
ing here through her school-days and the 
associations of youth, she formed deep attach- 
ments which can never be forgotten. Tender 
memories will be awakened in many hearts 
among those who, though separated from her 



for long years, can bring back without effort 
the picture of those blended qualities which 
made her youth so charming and full of 
promise. Her father's school was the centre 
of all that was bright and earnest in youthful 
studies, and gained no common impulse from 
the filial sympathy and ardor with which she 
entered into all its interests. Not in school 
only, but in the church and in social life, 
she endeared herself to all about her, and 
exerted a 'gentle but strong influence. 

" Her marriage took place fifteen years ago, 
and she removed at once to her husband's 
home in Milton, Mass. That unique and 
beautiful town, lying on the edge of a great 
city, but possessing its own independent life, 
its interesting historical associations, and its 
rare natural beauty, secured at once her warm 
attachment, and remained her loved home to 
the last. Coming as a bride in all her early 
beauty, she could not help but win the kindly 



sympathy of all. As her children grew up 
about her, she developed more and more 
those remarkable qualities which came to her 
by inheritance, and which were founded in 
true Christian principle. A firm believer in 
the gospel of Christ, she manifested her re- 
ligion in ways that won increasing respect. 
Strong in her convictions of duty, deep in 
her Christian experience, fearless in uphold- 
ing her principles in all company and under 
all circumstances, she had the gentlest toler- 
ance for all. To her friends who knew her 
intimately she was an unceasing marvel, in 
the amount and variety of her usefulness. 
Surrounded by a large family, it was truly 
admirable to see the grace and ease with 
which she presided over her household, mind- 
ful of every want, clear in her judgments, 
ready for all emergencies. Blessed with ex- 
traordinary health, she imparted life and 
energy to all about her. Skilful in all do- 



8 



mestic handiwork, she was deeply interested 
in the children's studies, and in all that could 
store and cultivate their minds. And when 
she had found time for all this, there seemed 
enough remaining for reading and study. 
Possessed of rare literary taste and delicate 
intuition, she entered ardently into subjects 
of criticism, and her judgments on questions 
of taste and propriety were of rare worth. 

" Such was Mrs. Pierce in the home which 
she has left desolate. It was a hospitable 
home, where many guests assembled of dis- 
tinguished rank and name, as well as friends 
and neighbors of every condition, whose 
worth secured her regard. She was full of 
public spirit, and identified herself with all 
good causes. The poor shared her sym- 
pathy, and paid warm tribute to her charac- 
ter. The distressed and the tempted, even 
the criminal, bore witness to her generous 
efforts to rescue and to save. To those who 



knew her not these may seem the words of 
hasty exaggeration; but the hand of love can 
draw no picture of womanly excellence and 
grace which shall seem fair enough for her 
true likeness. So many little courtesies and 
acts of Christian kindliness are treasured in 
the hearts of those who met her in daily life, 
that we can but be reminded of those lines of 
Lowell, written of one too early mourned : 

" Yet in herself she dwelleth not, 

Although no home were half so fair ; 

No simplest duty is forgot, 

Life hath no dim and lowly spot 
That doth not in her sunshine share. 

" She doeth little kindnesses, 

Which most leave undone, or despise : 
For naught that sets one heart at ease, 
And giveth happiness or peace, 
Is low-esteemed in her eyes." 

"Alas ! that so much loveliness should pass 
away from earth. Alas ! that her sudden de- 
parture should be needed to engrave upon 



IO 



our hearts so sharply the impress of her 
worth. It is a mystery too great for human 
thought that a mother so beloved should be 
called to leave her work in the ripeness of 
her experience. But her own unquestioning 
faith, her brave purpose to do and suffer 
God's will with silent devotion, may be the 
best answer to all our doubts. It cannot be 
that God called her to all the usefulness of 
life, and to the fulfilment of its sacred minis- 
tries, without providing also for blessed influ- 
ences still to hallow her memory, and to be a 
benediction on the broken hearts she has left 
behind." 



EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS. 



T CANNOT remember the time when we 
did not play together with our dolls and 
toys in the baby-house now in your nursery, 
which Mr. Kingsbury made for his children, 
and one similar to it which my father made 
for us. . . . Lizzie went to school a few 
months before I did, and for a long time I 
felt that she was so far beyond me I should 
never overtake her. 

She always called for us, and we walked to 
and from school together. We never went 
to but two schools, — Miss Eddy's and Mr. 
Kingsbury's. She was a thorough, consci- 
entious scholar, and seldom failed in lessons, 
though she never appeared to be studying 



12 



hard or made a fuss about doing anything. 
That was one remarkable trait, — the ease 
with which everything seemed to be done ; 
and yet it was almost certain that everything 
would be done in time, and well done. After 
she grew older, and especially after she be- 
came a member of the church, her temper, 
which was not naturally placid, softened very 
much ; and every year she gained more and 
more self-control. Her brother Henry's death 
was a very sore trial to her; for she was 
greatly devoted to him, giving much of her 
spare time in the evenings to reading to him, 
and playing chess with him, and doing all in 
her power to make home pleasant to him as 
well as to the other younger ones. Our 
home in Providence was broken up soon 
after her marriage, and I saw much less of 
her afterwards. I went away from home 
about that time, and after that saw her com- 
paratively little; but there was always the 



13 

same sense of security in her friendship. 
She gave me the impression of being as 
thoroughly happy and satisfied in her mar- 
ried life as it was possible for any one to be; 
and I think she enjoyed the independence 
and responsibility which you were always 
glad to give her. 

I shall be only too glad if anything I have 
said will help to preserve in the minds of the 
children the memory of .so wise and loving a 
mother. 

M. G. 

FlTCHBURG, Oct. 29, l88o. 



One night I lay awake for hours, in spite 
of myself composing a picture which might 
portray the rare and beautiful, traits of the 
life which has illuminated and blessed your 
home. But when the morning came, the 
vision had departed ; I could no longer paint 



H 

in words the features which, without any ac- 
tion on my part, had seemed to clothe them- 
selves in fitting expressions the night before. 
I feel that it is a privilege to have known 
Mrs. Pierce, even imperfectly as I did. 
There was something in her countenance 
which it does me good to remember. It 
calls up thoughts of sweetness and strength, 
of firmness of conviction and tender affec- 
tions, — a world of sympathy and a faith which 
threw over the whole mind and life, in soft- 
ness and power, the infinity and holiness of 
the unseen realm in which it lived and had its 
being. Blessed memories and more blessed 
hopes be with you ! 

j. H. M. 

Milton, Aug. 31, 1880. 



i5 



We all thank you sincerely for the beauti- 
ful photograph which you have sent us, and 
which we shall keep among our choicest 
treasures of the kind. It brings up to us 
a face which it was always a pleasure and a 
privilege to see ; far more than almost any 
face that I have known, it told of the rich- 
ness and beauty of the soul which illumi- 
nated the shrine from within, and made it 

holy. 

j. H. M. 
Milton, Oct. i, 1880. 



In the only two interviews which I was 
ever favored to have with Mrs. Pierce I re- 
ceived such an impression of strong, rich, 
and beautiful life, that I find it almost im- 
possible to associate the idea of death with 
my memory of her. I shall never forget the 



i6 



grace and cordiality with which she received 
me in your hospitable home, or the mingled 
dignity and urbanity with which she presided 
at the happy feast you gave to publisher, 
printer, and proof-reader. So marked and 
striking was her personality that it made a 
deep impression on me, which I have ever 
since been both able and glad often and 
easily to recall. She was a person whom to 
see once was always to be remembered, — 
alike in form and features, and in the obvious 
qualities of her character. No picture of her 
placed before my eyes could more vividly re- 
call these to me than does my memory of 
that charming occasion in which she was so 

conspicuous a figure. 

a. w. s. 

Cambridge, April 15, 1880. 



i7 



When I received the first shock of this 
loss, I was glad that you had taken me out to 
your home last summer and showed me your 
cherished abode, and enabled me to see and 
converse with Mrs. Pierce, and to see the 
household of health, beauty, order, dignity, 
and moral principle, so much of which she 
was, and over all of which she ruled. I do 
not know how much I said to you, but I felt 
glad for you, and did not fail to see and 
justify your pride and happiness. When I 
came to Paris, I told Mrs. Dana and my 
daughters how charmingly you were placed 
and surrounded ; and now they are propor- 
tionately afflicted for you, and we speak often 
of you together. If your older children, whom 
I found so interesting and intelligent, have 
any recollection of me and my short visit 
that beautiful summer afternoon, pray give 
them my best wishes, and tell them that I 



i8 



lost my mother at just about their age, and 
that she has been to me a vision of beauty 
and purity ever since, — which is more than 
fifty years. May it be so with them ! 

R. H. D. 
Paris, May 3, 1880. 



It was only a few days ago, — perhaps on 
the day when she passed from earthly scenes, 
— that I had the beautiful picture of dear 
Mrs. Pierce on the table before me, looking 
into her lovely face, and feeling how happy 
I should be again to meet her. ... I feel 
so grateful to have had that happy day with 
her at Milton, and to have seen you both 
surrounded by your lovely children. I shall 
never forget the proud mother-look which 
beamed from her beautiful face as she brought 
forward each lovely child. 

M. K. 

Cincinnati, April 4, 1880. 



19 



She was one woman in a generation, — 
so wise, so gentle, so faithful, so true, so ca- 
pable, so loving. Your interests were hers. 
We constantly speak of our little visits to 
you ; and Dr. W. was always ready to ac- 
cept your invitations, because he felt your 
wife was so true and genuine in her hospi- 
tality. 

s. b. w. 

Cincinnati, April 6, 1880. 



How much I have always admired and 
respected Mrs. Pierce I believe you know. 
She seemed to me the very noblest type of a 
wife and mother, — a true woman in all the 

relations of life. 

a. c. w. 

Boston, April 4, 1880. 



20 



Ever since we became acquainted with 

Mrs. Pierce she has held the highest place 

in our esteem for her many and admirable 

virtues, adorned by an exterior so gentle and 

attractive. 

e. s. Q. 

Quincy, April 13, 1880. 



She has always so filled the house with 
her love, her care, and her gentle, unobtru- 
sive sympathy for all, that I cannot imagine 
it without her. She always seemed to me a 
perfect mother. I never came away after 
spending a day at your house without being 
filled with wonder and admiration at the 
influence she had over the children. Then 
when I think of you, I can only pray that 
her sweet influence may still fall around you. 



21 



It must be some comfort even now to feel 

how entirely you loved and appreciated her, 

and how conscious she was of it. 

s. B. T. 
Cambridge, April 10, 1880. 



This I can say, — a sweeter, lovelier, 

more unselfish being never entered within 

the Golden Gate. 

m. b. c. 

Washington, April 3, 1880. 



I should not have been able to give you a 
sympathy so profound and adequate, if I had 
not had the pleasure this winter of knowing 
her personally. I did not tell you when I 
saw you here what a fortunate man I thought 
you to possess such a wife. I found her so 
charming in mind, in person, and in manner; 



22 



so fitted to share in your highest pursuits, 
and yet with all the practical qualities so pre- 
eminently important in the wife of a man of 

letters. Of these last I had heard from , 

who gave me the impression that she had a 
serene, methodical, controlling energy which 
always mastered her cares instead of allow- 
ing them to master her. This is a wonderful 
power, which perhaps we women can appre- 
ciate better than men, because we know all 
its difficulties. It is very rare, for it requires 
a fine temperament combined with great 
ability ; but as you have always seen it mani- 
fested simply and naturally in her, you have 
no idea how very rare it is. 

Mr. Bancroft begs me to assure you that 
he shares all my grief ; and, indeed, we both 
feel it as a great personal loss. 

E. B. 
Washington, April 7, 1880. 



23 



When we are seated in the pleasant room, 
And look dim-eyed upon that vacant chair, 

Our wistful gaze shall reach beyond the gloom, 
And see by Faith her blessed spirit there. 

Her gracious presence as a boon was felt, 
Her lovely face a benediction gave, 

And gracious memories into tears must melt 
When thinking of her in the darksome grave. 

Not in the grave ! The portal she has passed; 

The golden gates have opened, and she stands, 
More beautiful than when we saw her last, 

Stretching to earth her loving, longing hands. 



How can they live without a mother's love, 
Without a mother's constant, tender care ? 

Blessings from her, descending from above, 

Will guide them here, and gently draw them there. 

M. C D. S. 
Milton, April 2, 1880. 




I H 



§. i 



■ - 



■ 







» t w 






■ - 






*w J 



■ 



I I 






1 1 ; \>' 






■ * 






'-& 



^H 






... I *'' : 









t.m 






Jfs 













54C. * 









. 



I I 






• 







■ 



4 



■ 






























